Zamboanga City News March 2012

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Zamboanga City - Archived News

Wars of ancient history were about possessions, territory, power, control, family, betrayal, lover's quarrel, politics and sometimes religion.

But we are in the Modern era and supposedly more educated and enlightened .

Think about this. Don't just brush off these questions.

  • Why is RELIGION still involved in WARS? Isn't religion supposed to be about PEACE?
  • Ask yourself; What religion always campaign to have its religious laws be accepted as government laws, always involved in wars and consistently causing WARS, yet insists that it's a religion of peace?

WHY??

There are only two kinds of people who teach tolerance:
  1. The Bullies. They want you to tolerate them so they can continue to maliciously deprive you. Do not believe these bullies teaching tolerance, saying that it’s the path to prevent hatred and prejudice.
  2. The victims who are waiting for the right moment to retaliate. They can’t win yet, so they tolerate.
Limpapa Beach.JPG
Limpapa Beach

Dietary supplement is a product that contains vitamins, minerals, herbs or other botanicals, amino acids, enzymes, and/or other ingredients intended to supplement the diet. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has special labeling requirements for dietary supplements and treats them as foods, not drugs.

Manufacturers and distributors of dietary supplements and dietary ingredients are prohibited from marketing products that are adulterated or misbranded. That means that these firms are responsible for evaluating the safety and labeling of their products before marketing to ensure that they meet all the requirements of DSHEA and FDA regulations.

Muslim women scholars, peace advocates gather in Zamboanga for confab

by Gandhi Kinjiyo

ZAMBOANGA CITY (Mindanao Examiner / Mar. 31, 2012) – Some 150 Muslim women religious scholars and religious teachers, including Muslim women civil society leaders from different parts of the Philippines will gather in Zamboanga City for the 3rd National Conference of Muslim Women Peace Advocates.

The event, to be held at the Lantaka Hotel from March 31 to April 3, has been organized by the Magbassa Kita Foundation, Inc. (MKFI) and the Philippine Council for Islam and Democracy (PCID) Anchored on the theme “Empowered Women of Faith, Rebuilding Peace,” organizers said the conference will strengthen the role of the national network of Muslim women religious scholars and women peace advocates.

“Over the years, the effects of conflict in Mindanao have affected hundreds of thousands of individuals, most of them women and children. Thus, women have to be involved in peace building as well as in development,” PCID President Amina Rasul said in a statement sent to the Mindanao Examiner. Since 2001, the PCID and MKFI have been conducting workshops, focus group discussions and training sessions with Muslim women, with the purpose of developing them as peace advocates and agents of change.

In 2009, the PCID and MKFI organized the first training program on conflict prevention, peacemaking, and civic education while building their network supported by the One Woman Initiative.

DSWD to implement new strategy in poverty reduction

by Jocelyn P. Alvarez

ZAMBOANGA CITY — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will be initially implementing a new strategy in poverty reduction in fifty municipalities in Region IX, including Zamboanga City and Isabela City, revealed Regional Director Teodulo Romo, Jr.

Speaking during a meeting with civil society organizations held recently, Romo shared his optimism that the poor “will finally have the opportunity to air their most urgent needs” so that these concerns will be addressed appropriately and efficiently.

For the last forty (40) years, the director said, the national government has a lack of focused targeting for its programs and services. In spite of implementing numerous programs, only a handful of the poor are able to benefit from such programs, primarily because there have been limited or even no consultations with the sectors at all. The poor have been left behind struggling as hard as ever.

But this time, with the active engagement of the different sectors in the LGU planning process, the tables will be turned. Local government officials will work hand in hand with the sector representatives – the poor and the marginalized. The residents will be consulted in drafting development plans.

“We have made much progress using the bottom-up approach with the Kalahi-CIDSS community-driven project,” shared Director Romo, “and it is about time to let this effective poverty-reduction mechanism loose in more areas needing it, including the urban cities”.

Sector representatives have shared that they were never consulted, or even invited during the budget preparation process especially from their local government units. Director Romo assured that this will certainly not be the case now.

“The sector representatives’ role in this type of budgeting is very important. No proposals will be accepted without their endorsement. If the local governments do not invite you, you invite yourselves. It is your right to be part of the process,” said the Director.

This process has its basis on a DBM National Budget Memorandum No. 122 on 29 December 2011, mandating the use of the “bottom-up budgeting process” in the preparation of the National Government Agency budgets for FY 2013 that will fund anti-poverty programs and projects of about 300 to 400 focus municipalities and cities identified by the Human Development and Poverty-Reduction Cabinet Cluster (HDPRCC). This is also in line with the President’s Social Contract with the Filipino People (EO 43 Series of 2011) that calls for accountability, transparency, and social participation as significant requirements in the Aquino Administration’s goal to reduce poverty.

ZCWD celebrates 38 years in Service

(Zamboanga Today)

On April 01, 2012, ZCWD will turn a year older. On that day, 38 yearsago, ZCWD assumed operation of the Zamboanga City Waterworks and Sewerage System, which at that time was owned and managed by the citygovernment. Today, the Water District has developed greatly and growninto a very large category water district.

The 38th anniversary will be celebrated though on March 29, 2012 with a Thanksgiving Mass at 7:00AM at the roofdeck of the ZCWD Main Office along Pilar Street. Celebrants are Rev. Fr. Jude Duncombe, Rev. Fr.Rene Tubio and Rev. Fr. Jonathan Berdejo. After the mass, a short program will follow to recognize deserving employees and present them with service, loyalty awards and exemplary performance in accordance with the office’s Program Awards and Incentives for Service Excellence (PRAISE). Employees who retired in 2011 will be honored with a special citation. There will also be aspecial citation to be given to the employees who assisted victims of typhoon Sendong in Cagayan de Oro City.

Simultaneously, the annual blood-letting activity with assistance from the Philippine National Red Cross, Zamboanga Chapter, will be held at the 3rd floor. Around 200 or more blood donors from this office will be screened as early as 6:00 in the morning. ZCWD aims to attain the “Bloodiest Agency” recognition from the Red Cross.

In line with the celebration of this year’s anniversary is also the inauguration and blessing of the Luyahan Booster Station and the Lunzuran Overhead Tank after the recognition program. The Luyahan Project has a total cost of Php19.4M to include civil works, pipelaying, installation of electro-mechanical equipment, generator set and the upgrading of the system. The project started in May 26,2011.

Meanwhile, the 70 cubic meter capacity overhead tank in Lunzuran is a structure that was turned over to ZCWD by the Lunzuran Urban Poor Housing Association. The water district disinfected and repaired the structure and also constructed a perimeter fence to secure it. The overhead tank was operational starting March 27, 2012. Both projects are aimed to improve water supply distribution in Luyahan and Lunzuran.

Mayor issues two executive orders for Holy Week'

By R.G. Antonet Go

Mayor Celso Lobregat signed two executive orders on traffic rerouting and prohibition on the bringing and sale of liquors in Abong Abong Park during the Holy Week from April 5 to 8.

Executive Order CL 442-2012 orders the temporary traffic re-routing scheme on roads leading to Mayor Cesar C. Climaco Freedom Park, Pasonanca, and declaring the area as 'walk in park" for the duration of the observance of the Holy Week.

The order states that the road leading to Pasonanca up to the entrance of the Zamboanga City Water District (ZCWD) motorpool and Luyahan Housing Project will be maintained as a two way street. However, the road from the entrance to the ZCWD motorpool leading all the way to Km 6 at the entrance of Abong Abong is declared one way.

The vending area will still be identified by the barangay council of Pasonanca and the Sta. Maria Police Station. The city health office was also tasked to ensure the availability of health services to include sanitation requirements. The Zamboanga City Electric Cooperative and the ZCWD were tasked to make sure that services are uninterrupted during the Holy Week.

Meanwhile, Executive Order CL 443-2012 prohibits the bringing, sale and drinking of liquor at the Mayor Cesar C. Climaco Freedom Park, Pasonanca during the observance of the Holy Week.

Lobregat banned the bringing, sale, drinking of liquor, to include playing loud music and bringing of firearms and bladed weapons. The police are instructed to confiscate and dispose prohibited items and to seize bladed weapons and firearms. The violators of the said executive orders will be charged, if so warranted, under existing laws and ordinances or the imposition of fines as the case maybe.

Both Executive Orders were signed by the Mayor last March 22 and will take effect during the Holy Week. Earlier, the mayor held a meeting with civic groups, city health office, police, and the Task Force Zamboanga for the security preparations for the Holy Week.

City to join observance of 'Earth Hour'

By: R.G. Antonet Go

The City Government of Zamboanga headed by Mayor Celso Lobregat stressed its yearly support to the observance of Earth Hour scheduled on March 31.

Lobregat said, “Este año will be different, antes na Zamboanga City Electric Cooperative (Zamcelco) tan brownout quita entero ciudad after 15 min ta abri feeder by feeder. This time, man concentrate el activity na Paseo del Mar.”

The mayor said the Musically Gyrating Dancing Fountain will first have several shows before the program and the brownout. Aside from this, agencies including the city government have volunteered to fly several sky lanterns during the observance of Earth Hour. The sky lanterns will be flown from 8:30 to 9 in the evening.

In lieu of this, Lobregat signed Executive Order CL 445-2012, an act in support and commitment of the city of Zamboanga in the observance of a global event known as the Earth Hour 2012 which is a call to action related to energy efficiency, conservation and to address climate change. During the observance of the earth hour, the entire city will be in darkness from 8:30 to 9:30 in the evening to symbolize the solidarity of our city with the rest of the country and the world.

Nat’l Museum officials laud city for Paseo dev’t

by Sheila Covarrubias

Top officials from the National Museum have expressed appreciation to the local government for the improvements being done at the Paseo del Mar, stressing it enhances the National Museum which is located right beside the recreational park.

National Museum Chairman Ramon del Rosario Jr., said the establishment of the musically gyrating dancing fountain and all the other improvements being done at the Paseo del Mar that include the construction of the multi-purpose exhibit building, expansion of parking space, and the soon to be constructed natural aquarium will help boost the museum—a repository of the country’s culture and history.

“I am happy that our National Museum is right beside this park and I hope more people will also visit the national museum because it is where we can learn more about our heritage and our past and why we should really be proud to be Filipinos. That is what the national museum is all about and that is what places like these are all about too”, Del Rosario, who was the guest of honor during the grand opening of the Paseo del Mar musically gyrating dancing fountain on March 23, said.

He also lauded Mayor Lobregat and the late Mayor Maria Clara Lobregat for the job well done in transforming a former squatters’ area into a popular recreational park. “I understand this part of the city was not a place that was very pleasant, people could not come here because it was a hotbed of drugs and criminality and all kinds of ugly things and the fact that his mother and he (Mayor Celso) was able to transform it into the kind of park and now this wonderful dancing fountain, is a great achievement”.

He added: “I wish that many mayors in other parts of the country can do similar things for their cities because it is a wonderful accomplishment that could benefit the people”.

Jeremy Barns, National Museum Director IV, for his part likewise expressed elation that the Paseo del Mar where many improvements are taking place including the establishment of the musically gyrating dancing fountain is right adjacent to the Fort Pilar which is home to the National Museum.

He said he and Mr. del Rosario’s visit to Zamboanga is in a way reaffirming the National Museum’s commitment to improve and promote the Zamboanga museum stressing that the facility in the city is one of the top 3 priorities for improvement and upgrading project this year.

Blackout cripples Zamboanga City airport

By Roel Pareño with Aurea Calica, Paolo Romero, Rudy Santos, Jigger Jerusalem (The Philippine Star)

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Hours after President Aquino assured the nation that measures were in place to ease Mindanao’s power woes, a massive blackout triggered an electrical malfunction at the international airport here Friday night, forcing the cancellation of flights.

Celso Bayabos, Zamboanga City International Airport manager, said they had to stop airport operations when power lines supplying electricity for flight operations got burned during a power shift to generators, following a blackout at 7 p.m. Friday.

Bayabos said affected facilities were runway lights, approach light, transition-approach lights, instrument landing system, and control tower.

“All the wirings from the power control system sparked and burned out during the power transition following the blackout,” Bayabos said.

He said the disruption of airport operations also affected military flights.

Inbound Philippine Airlines flight PR 125 from Manila was cancelled. PAL also announced the suspension of flights to Ozamiz City today. It was not clear if the suspension of the Ozamiz flights was a result of the blackouts. PAL said ticket holders may contact the airline’s reservation office for information and rebooking.

“The control tower can’t contact the pilots and there are no lights in the runway,” Bayabos said.

He said that while the communications system had been restored, runway lights were not yet functioning.

“But we will have a limited operations from sunrise to sunset only,” he said.

The airport official said airline companies have been notified of the problem and have been advised to make the necessary adjustments in schedules. He said he could not tell at the moment when operations would normalize.

In Cagayan de Oro City, National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) spokesperson Cynthia Alabanza said inviting more investors to Mindanao is key to solving the island’s power shortage.

She said investments should not only be in hydroelectric power, Mindanao’s main source of power. “It should have a good mix, not just hydropower plants or power barges,” she told reporters.

Alabanza said NGCP’s forecast of the power situation in Mindanao is “not good” and that it is in a “very dire situation.”

She also said the problem was “not artificial but real,” contrary to allegations by Mindanao Development Authority chairperson Lualhati Antonino that NGCP has created an “artificial shortage.”

In her statement, Antonino contended that NGCP was creating an artificial power shortage in Mindanao because it was interested in the privatization of the Agus-Pulangi power plant, the main power generator in Mindanao.

But Alabanza said the NGCP has been transparent in its operations and has in fact announced its power outlook in the country’s three major daily newspapers and on its official website, and on its Facebook and Twitter accounts.

“What’s happening in Mindanao is a grid-wide problem, not parochial. Its solution must not also be parochial,” Alabanza said.

Alabanza said the power interruptions in some parts of Mindanao were due to insufficient “contracted capacity” of the National Power Corp. (Napocor) and independent providers.

She said Mindanao needs at least 1,500 megawatts daily. At present, Mindanao’s power production is 1,300 MW.

Due to shortage of power, Alabanza said NGCP has no choice but to enforce “load curtailment” to preserve the integrity of its equipment.

Gov’t takeover

Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Teodoro Casiño said a government takeover of privatized power barges in Mindanao may be the quickest way to ease the power crisis in the region.

“It appears that there is enough power supply in Mindanao. The problem is that it is too expensive so the power distributors are not buying for fear of going bankrupt,” Casiño said.

He said power rates dramatically increased in Mindanao after the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. or PSALM privatized the NGCP, which then entered into an Ancillary Services Procurement Agreement (ASPA) with Therma Marin Inc. involving two privatized power barges, Power Barges 117 and 118.

Under the ASPA, Therma Marine would sell additional power to the Mindanao grid at a more expensive rate than when the power barges were still being used as baseload plants. Using the ASPA, the NGCP obtained a provisional authority to enforce new power rates.

“Thus, a logical solution is for the government to take over the power barges of Therma Marine and add it to the grid as cheap base load power instead of expensive ancillary power,” Casiño said.

“Temporarily taking over the power barges will lower prices, allowing power distributors to buy cheaper power and supply it to customers. Based on Article XII Section 17 of the Constitution, the government can temporarily take over or direct the operation of any privately owned public utility or business affected with public interest, if there is a national emergency, when the public interest so requires,” he said.

“In the long term, the government should immediately rehabilitate the hydropower plants in Mindanao and tap solar power systems and other renewable energy sources to augment existing supply,” he added.

Casiño is the author of House Bill 5405 or the proposed One Million Solar Roofs Act which provides for incentives and financing facilities to encourage the use of solar energy by ordinary electricity consumers like residences, offices, and small to medium businesses.

“With government harnessing the solar resources of the country and providing for incentives for massive deployment of solar energy systems, the prospects of attaining energy independence from oil companies and significantly lowering electricity prices in the medium-term are realizable. Power crises then like in Mindanao would be a thing of the past,” he said.

Mindanao’s power demand is expected to grow at an annual rate of 4.56 percent from 2011 to 2030. Demand is projected to exceed existing generation capacity by 2014 unless additional power generation capacity is installed, he said.

“With the situation in Mindanao today, drastic situations call for drastic actions,” Casiño said.

‘Artificial’ ever since?

The Mindanao power crisis has always been suspected as artificial and made to persist by individuals and groups with vested political or business interests, even during previous administrations.

In February 2010, Aquino himself, then standard-bearer of the Liberal Party for the presidential elections, said there was no reason to grant then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo emergency powers to deal with the energy problems in Mindanao brought about by the El Niño phenomenon because the “crisis” could be artificial.

Aquino said then that there were several ways to help Mindanao deal with its power problem and granting the President emergency powers should be the last resort.

Aquino told editors, columnists and reporters of The STAR at the time that his camp was verifying reports that the energy crisis was induced and being used to further the interests of some groups in the run-up to the elections.

He said based on reports, Luzon and the Visayas were not yet affected by the blackouts and only Mindanao was.

Aquino said the root of the energy problem must also be looked into and that some energy issues could have been addressed early on.

“We want to know, is it because of mismanagement? Is it a prelude to some monkey business come election day? Therefore if it is artificial, the emergency powers will not have any basis,” Aquino said.

Senators and various sectors also thumbed down any emergency powers for Arroyo at that time.

Now it was the turn of the Aquino administration to be accused of creating an artificial power crisis in Mindanao to favor some investors with strong interests in the privatization of government-run plants in the area.

The President and Energy Secretary Jose Rene Almendras said there was indeed a shortage of power supply in Mindanao that might last until 2013. But they said short-term solutions were already in place.

Power barges have been deployed and distributors have been told to utilize all existing supplies and not consume more than what was contracted.

Reacting to the issue, readers posted on The STAR website their appeals for permanent solutions to the energy problems in Mindanao by developing other sources.

There have been complaints that supply from power barges is too expensive and that those in the business of supplying power generators are likewise taking advantage of the situation.

Napocor and NGCP are facing a class suit to be filed by party-list group Agham, reportedly for their failure to address the power problem.

Agham party-list Rep. Angelo Palmones told reporters in Kidapawan City that Napocor and NGCP should be made to account for neglecting their duties and letting the power shortage worsen.

“It appears they have not been doing their respective duties. They should have had prepared contingencies for this. Sadly they have none,” Palmones said.

“This has badly affected the economy of so many now supposedly booming areas in Mindanao, particularly those in the countryside,” Palmones said.

“I know of thousands of families losing costly appliances destroyed by these sectional rationing of electricity, over and above its bad impact on local industries,” he added.

Residents have also complained about the lack of information on the operational status of a state-run geothermal power plant on Mt. Apo in Barangay Ilomavis, Kidapawan City.

“What is so surprising is that the province is host to two geothermal power plants that supply about 100 megawatts of power to the Mindanao grid,” Palmones said.

Last Friday, Aquino presided over a meeting on the energy situation at Malacañang. Also tackled during the meeting was the threat of blackouts in Metro Manila following the breakdown of a key transformer in Las Piñas.

Aquino said the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) and the NGCP had been tasked to ensure that Metro Manila be spared from power outages after the transformer broke down on the night of March 20.

In a briefing, Aquino said the Luzon grid has excess power supply for Metro Manila’s emergency needs.

Aquino and Almendras also disputed allegations that the power crisis in Mindanao was artificial and intended to benefit some businesses.

Almendras said one of the measures to ease Mindanao’s problem was the deployment of power barges with 120-MW capacity to address the shortage.

The NGCP, since January, has been issuing a red alert status for the Mindanao grid due to current generation deficiencies, ranging from 50 to 300 MW.

Almendras admitted that Mindanao would only have enough capacity by 2014.

“In 2014 to 2016 you have enough committed projects, our shortage is really here in 2012 and 2013,” Almendras said.

The power barges were already in Mindanao but “the users have to order for power to be generated,” Almendras said when asked why power barges were not being utilized yet.

“You will have to share the burden,” Aquino said, meaning power distributors would have to buy expensive power from power barges.

But Almendras said, “We are moving power capacity to Mindanao, we want to make sure we can dispatch them without affecting the price of electricity.”

Almendras said private firms and Napocor would provide the barges. Almendras said a new coal-fired power plant would add 300 MW by 2014 to Mindanao where some areas were experiencing 15-hour blackouts.

He said the “real problem” in Mindanao was that it needed additional generation capacity. “It needs non-hydro generation capacity,” Almendras said.

He said the demand was 1,100 to 1,200 MW and that 700 MW was coming from hydrothermal plants.

Water firm to buy power generator sets

by Bong Garcia

THE Zamboanga City Water District (ZCWD) is purchasing at least 11 generator sets to supply power to the ZCWD's pumping stations during blackouts.

This was disclosed by ZCWD Assistant General Manager for Operations Engineer Alejo Rojas Jr. who said they have 21 pumping stations that provide additional water supply to ZCWD concessionaires in the city.

Rojas said they only need 11 generator sets since 10 of the 21 water pumping station are already equipped with power generators.

The pumping stations, which are located in the different villages, use electricity to pump water into the main distribution lines of ZCWD, Rojas said.

No water could be drawn from the pumping station in case of blackout, Rojas said.

Rojas said the funds to be used to buy the generator sets will come from the water firm's coffer.

Meanwhile, he said the ZCWD is implementing a water rate increase starting the billing cycle of April this year.

The minimum charge of 10 cubic meters for residential concessionaire will be increased by P30 from P125 to P155, he said.

800 women undergo livelihood training

by Michael Vincent D. Cajulao

ZAMBOANGA CITY — Eight hundred (800) women from the city underwent a two-day free simultaneous livelihood training as part of the Women’s Month Celebration initiated by 1st District Representative Ma. Isabelle Climaco.

“We have made women a priority in this livelihood caravan of our office especially because of the Women’s Month Celebration”, Climaco said.

The lady solon stressed that community-based training remains one of her priorities to empower women. Proof is her allocation of P10 M for livelihood projects alone this year.

“We equip them with skills so they can in turn help their families through additional income”, she said in a press statement.

The livelihood caravan was conducted in partnership with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to ensure proper training and accreditation.

The women were trained on basic cosmetology like manicure and pedicure, jewelry-making, make-up and hair dressing, perfume and candle making, silk screen printing and fish processing.

After the training, participants were given certificates and start-up kits to begin with their businesses.

Climaco stressed the importance of vocational education and vowed to further implement it thru her partnership with TESDA and other organizations.

The trainings were simultaneously conducted in four separate venues to properly serve the beneficiaries.

Mayor leads soft opening of dancing fountain

By R.G. A A. Go

Hundreds of Zamboangueños attended the soft opening of the Musically Gyrating Dancing Fountain on Tuesday night at Paseo del Mar. Mayor Celso Lobregat lead the soft opening of the new fountain together with his family, city councilors, guest, and Archbishop Romulo Valles. The fountain gave a 20 minute show to entertain the spectators.

Six songs were played in English, Tagalog and Chavacano. This included I will survive, Adelante Zamboanga, Mambo No. 5, Eye of the Tiger, Tayo’y Magsayawan and Bad Romance. The crowd, both young and old, enjoyed the show and were amazed of the different colored lights and the dancing water together with the lively music.

The soft opening was held in time for the Mayor’s birthday. According to the Mayor, the fountain will be ready either by the end of the month or the first week of April. The dancing fountain project is being handled by 3VC Construction. Meanwhile, the Department of Tourism IX (DOT) said the Musically Gyrating Dancing Fountain at Paseo del Mar will be an added attraction to the city's tourism industry.

DOT IX Acting Regional Director Mary June Bugante said, “Although it’s not one of a kind, but this is something that would add to the attraction of the City. Chene ya donde pwede anda mga residentes de ciudad. This is something we should be proud of.” She added that although the city has the Paseo del Mar where there are many activities, the fountain will be an added attraction and it will make the place more interesting.

Red Cross collects hundreds of units of blood during Mayor's bday

By R.G. A A. Go

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) was able to collect some 160 units of blood during a blood letting activity in connection to the birthday of Mayor Celso Lobregat yesterday at the City Health Office.

PRC Blood Bank Physician, Dr. Kelly Geronimo said in an interview, "As of now, 160 units were collected and it is still on-going. This is a whole day affair in relation to the birthday of Mayor Celso Lobregat as part of his community service.”

Lobregat is also the Governor of the PRC and the office is targeting to collect around 300 units of blood.

According to Geronimo, many responded to the call including teachers, men in uniform, office employees, and members of government agencies.

He said the collected blood will be processed, tested, and will be given to the constituents of Zamboanga who are in need of blood.

“We are calling all Zamboangueños to drop by and visit the Red Cross and donate blood. Because everyday, we are in need of blood the demand is really high and we only get it from voluntary donation.” Geronimo said.

Foreign travelers’ hub to rise at Zamboanga port area

(PNA), DCT/LAM/FMS/mec

ZAMBOANGA CITY — Foreign travelers or crewmen of foreign vessel making a short stop or call at the Zamboanga City port will soon have their separate passengers’ terminal, according to Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) Port Manager Leonilo E. Miole.

Miole said the construction of a travelers’ hub passenger terminal for foreign vessels will provide “short time” accommodations for foreign visitors or crewmen and a bit of comfort while they are here in the city.

At present, both domestic and foreign travelers utilize the port’s Terminal II for passing through and for basic information about what they can do during their stay.

Once finished, the said terminal will also house certain government bureaus and department to include the Bureau of Quarantine; Bureau of Immigration, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and Customs International Quarantine Security, Miole said.

He said that these government offices in the terminal will facilitate and hasten processing of travel papers/documents of these foreign visitors.

With the foreseen emergence of the terminal for foreign travelers, Miole hopes that there will be an increase in the number of foreign vessels that are making stops/calls at the PPA.

PPA recorded 29 foreign vessels that made call at the port in 2011, a slight decrease as compared to 33 foreign vessels recorded in 2010.

The foreign passengers’ terminal project is now in the process of bidding, Miole said.

WWF, BPI Foundation, ZCCIFI partner to address effects of climate change

(PR)

The Zamboanga City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Foundation Inc. (ZCCIFI) President Pocholo N. Soliven announced that they formally forged a partnership with the World Wide Fund (WWF) Philippines represented by its CEO Jose Maria Lorenzo Tan and Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), Foundation represented by Florendo G. Maranan Vice President and Executive Director.

The partnership aims to conduct a study entitled, "Business Risk assessment and the management of climate change impact", which is in line with one of the core advocacies of the ZCCIFI. The study and workshop will be facilitated by Former NEDA Secretary Cielito Habito. The study will involve a multi vector analysis that looks into climate/environmental exposure, socio economic sensitivity, adaptive capacity and multi stakeholders inputs from scenario building exercises.

The partnership is anchored on the belief "that if cities and businesses want to remain viable and competitive in a climate change defined future, there is a significant need to comprehensively assess climate change and its associated impacts into its core business strategic process..."

The meeting was held at the BPI Zamboanga Branch last March 15,2012. Also in attendance were Zamboanga Business Chamber Officers and Board, EVP Efren Y. Wee, Edgar Lim, Angela Monette T. Natividad, Atty. Arsenio Gonzales Jr., Oliver N. Ong, Teresita U. Sebastian, Antonio Ituralde and Myl Amsid.

Zambo retains ZPRAA crown

by Sheila Covarrubias

After a week-long sports hostilities, Zamboanga City grabbed 12 team titles in the secondary level and 5 in the elementary level to capture the over-all championship crown in the 2012 Zamboanga Peninsula Regional Athletic Association (ZPRAA) Meet held in Dapitan City from March 11-17.

Zamboanga accumulated a total of 632.5 points retaining its title for many years now. Zamboanga del Norte placed second with 582 points; Zamboanga del Sur is third with 431 points, Dipolog City came in fourth with 294 points while Zamboanga Sibugay is 5th with 241.5 points. Pagadian City garnered 202.5 points occupying the 6th place, Isabela City is 7th with 201 points while host Dapitan City is 8th with 122.5 points.

As this developed, Mayor Celso Lobregat expressed elation over the turnout of the Regional Meet as he commended the athletes, coaches, trainers and DEPED support staff for the job well done.

He said incentives will be given to the delegation in recognition of their efforts during the weeklong Meet in Dapitan City. He reiterated the city’s all out support to sports and youth development.

Pedro Melchor Natividad, OIC City Schools Division Superintendent likewise extolled the athlete’s determination to maintain the crown adding that the Zamboanga delegation’s victory is a gift to Mayor Lobregat on his birthday.

He expressed gratitude to Mayor Lobregat and the members of the City Council as well as Cong. Erbie Fabian and all other officials for the unceasing support to the athletes and to the education sector in general.

In the secondary level, Zamboanga City garnered 366 points placing first, Zamboanga del Sur got 264 points placing second while Zamboanga del Norte netted 244 points placing third. Occupying the 4th to the 8th place are Dipolog City with 184 ponts, Pagadian City with 114.5 points, Zamboanga Sibugay with 105 points, Isabela City with 89 points and Dapitan City with 80.5 points.

In the elementary level, Zamboanga del Norte swept 338 points placing first, Zamboanga City garnered 266.5 points to occupy the second place and Zamboanga del Sur got 167 points placing 3rd. Zamboanga Sibugay is 4th with 136.5 points, Isabela City- 5th place with 112 points; Dipolog City – 6th with 110 points, Pagadian City – 7th place with 88 points and Dapitan City -8th place with 42 points.

Team titles for the Zamboanga City secondary level are in the arnis (boys), badminton (both boys and girls), baseball (boys), basketball-boys, boxing-boys, football-boys, softball-girls, swimming-girls, taekwondo-boys and girls and tennis boys. The Zamboanga City elementary level on the other hand, captured team titles in the arnis-boys, basketball-boys, swimming- boys and girls and taekwondo- girls.

Mayor Lobregat together with District II Congressman Erbie Fabian and Councilors Rudy Lim, Myra Paz Abubakar, Abdurahman Nuno, Lilia Nuno, Percival Ramos, Nonong Guingona, Rogelio Valesco Jr., Jaime Cabato, Luis Biel III, Mike Alavar, Rey Candido and VP Elago led the city government delegation to Dapitan last weekend to show all out support to the 508-man contingent of the Zamboanga athletic delegation to this year’s ZPRAA being hosted by Dapitan City.

Aside from physical presence, the mayor also directed the all out support to the athletes by way of funding all expenses for food, transportation and uniforms. A few hours before the opening parade last March 11 in Dapitan City, Mayor Lobregat announced a 50% increase in the city’s counterpart for the athletes’ allowances.

The Department of Education’s counterpart is P1,750 while the city, per instruction of Mayor Lobregat gave P600, representing a 50% increase from the previous counterpart of P300 per athlete.

Zamboanga Peninsula Region City Vet steps up anti-rabies drive

by Richard Aliangan

ZAMBOANGA CITY — The City Veterinarian Office continues its aggressive campaign against rabies as it commemorates the National Rabies Awareness Month.

Aside from the regular free vaccination services that are routinely offered at the City Veterinarian’s Office in San Roque, including the 5 district-offices in Quiniput, Taloptap, Manicahan, Culianan and Ayala, a special free-vaccination services are also carried out by the same office.

On March 15, Sta. Maria was chosen as venue of the said services which primarily aimed to immunize domesticated animals dogs and cats.

City Veterinarian Mario Arriola said his office was tapped by officials of Barangay Zone II to catch stray dogs.

Further, in the curative aspect, the City Government thru the City Health Office is subsidizing the administration of anti-rabies vaccines in cases of dog bites.

For the 4-session curative approach, the patients will only pay P300 per session as compared to a private animal bite center where a bite victim may spend as much as P6, 000, almost six times the value if administered in CHO with about P1, 200 for the entire session.

City Health Officer Rodel Agbulos is advising the public to take rabies seriously and do not take dog bites lightly because majority of the causes of rabies cases are contributed by dog bites.

From 2009 to present, 4 patients have already died of rabies infection, two of them were caused by dog bites while one was caused by a bite from a domesticated cat and the other was from a wild cat or locally known as gatorgalla.

Last year, 4,030 animal bites were recorded and majority of these instances were contributed by dogs prodding the city to adopt the theme “Working Together for a Rabies-Free Zamboanga: Register and Vaccinate Your Pets.”

The same record also showed that majority of the victims of animal bites are children from 15 years old and below. To address this, the Department of Education, Department of Health and City Veterinarian’s Office will conduct a series of symposia for Elementary and High School students, expectedly in the middle of this month.

Zambo fire district needs more equipment, facilities and personnel

(PNA),RSV/Teofilo P. Garcia/utb

ZAMBOANGA CITY — The Zamboanga City Fire District (ZCFD) of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) is in need of more equipment, facilities and personnel to be able to serve better this southern port city.

This was revealed by ZCFD Fire Marshall Supt. Dominador Zabala, Jr., who said said they need an additional of at least 33 fire trucks,citing the ideal ratio that one fire truck is for every 28,000 inhabitants or residents.

The profile of Zamboanga City showed that it has a population of 774,407 people as of August 1, 2007, based on the 2007 Census on Population conducted by the National Statistics Office (NSO).

The NSO census also showed that Zamboanga City has an annual population growth rate of 3.54 percent.

Zabala disclosed that the ZCFD has a total of 22 fire trucks with 17 water pumper, three special types, and two ambulances.

However, Zabala disclosed that three of the fire trucks are under repair while two of the 17 water pumper and the ladder also need repair.

The standard number of personnel for a fire district like Zamboanga City is 400 but the ZCFD has only some 200 firemen, Zabala revealed.

He said the ZCFD has at present seven fire stations and with seven fire sub-stations located in the different barangays of this city.

Zamboanga City has 98 barangays 37 of which are located in the first congressional district while 61 in the second district.

Zabala said he has already requested the local government to construct four fire sub-stations to be located in the barangays of Labuan and Patalon in the first district and Curuan and Sangali in the second district.

He said Mayor Celso Lobregat has already approved the construction of the two fire sub-stations in the barangays of Labuan and Sangali.

The local government had been assisting the ZCFD “in many ways” that include donation of fire trucks, fuel allocation and other needs of the fire district, he said.

St. Clare’s visit very historical -Zambo city mayor

By Vic Larato (JPA/ VL/CIO/PIA- ZBST)

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Mar. 15 (PIA) -- City government officials and employees on Wednesday, offered a mass in honor of the visiting relic of St. Clare of Assisi at the Metropolitan Immaculate Concepcion Cathedral as he described the visit to be very historic.

“This is very, very historic not only for Zamboanga City but perhaps also for Basilan. It is very, very rare that the relic of St. Clare is brought to a certain place”, the mayor said.

Originally, Zamboanga City was not included in the list of areas in the country where the relic will be brought “but Divine Providence had it that the relic of St. Clare will be here in Zamboanga for two days”, the mayor happily announced.

Zamboanga City, he said, was perhaps included in the list of cities to be visited by the relic, as it is the bastion of Christianity in Mindanao that gave birth to all other archdioceses and dioceses in the island.

Mayor Lobregat called on the residents to reflect on the life and virtues of St. Clare as well as to pray for her intercession to help them in their everyday life and to help keep Zamboanga safe and sound despite the adversities.

The relic of St. Clare arrived in Zamboanga City last Saturday together with the Philippine Ambassador to Vatican Merceditas Tuason.

The relic, which arrived in the country last February 22, was also brought the other day to Isabela City, Basilan Province where a mass was offered by hundreds of faithfuls.

Like the city government, the congressional office of House Deputy Speaker Rep. Beng Climaco-Salazar was also tapped to coordinate the visit of the relic to this part of the country.

The Archdiocese of Zamboanga has said it is a great opportunity for the country to become the first recipient of the relic since it is not allowed to leave Rome.

St. Clare was born in 1193 to the Offreduccio family in Assisi, Central Italy. In 1212, St. Clare joined St. Francis and so the Second Franciscan Order was born.

With many other women following her in the San Damiano monastery, St. Clare founded the sisterhood of poor ladies, which is now known as the Poor Clares.

She died in 1253 and was canonized by Pope Alexander IV two years later. In 1958, she was declared Patroness of Television.

Edu officials thank City for all out support to athletes

by Sheila Covarrubias

Officials from the Department of Education have expressed appreciation to the city government for the unceasing support being provided to Zamboangue o athletes participating in this year’s Zamboanga Peninsula Regional Athletic Association (ZPRAA) Meet being held in Dapitan City from March 11-17.

OIC City Schools Superintendent Pedro Melchor Natividad said Mayor Celso Lobregat’s administration has shown its all-out commitment to education ranging from construction of school buildings and other education related projects to teachers’ allowances and now support to student athletes participating in sports competitions.

“Mayor Lobregat and the members of the City Council are not only giving the athletes the moral support but also financial support and all other needs of the delegation”, the grateful Natividad said.

The city government, he said, provides extension teacher items, constructs school buildings, grants allowance to teachers and provides allowances and incentives and all other needs of athletes participating in sports competitions.

“With all these support, nuay rason para perde (there is no reason to lose in the competition)”, Natividad said during the assembly of the athletes prior to the kick off parade Sunday afternoon at the Jose Rizal Memorial State University grounds in Dapitan City. To this, the athletes and coaches loudly chanted “Adelante Zamboanga, Orgullo de Mindanao!”.

Dr. Maybelle Tee, Education Program Supervisor, I also expressed gratitude to Mayor Lobregat and the members of the City Council for demonstrating massive support to the athletes by personally joining the delegation in Dapitan and for providing all the needs of the athletes.

“But most especially we are very thankful for the city’s massive support to education and ultimately for the wellbeing of the young generation in the city”, Dr. Tee declared.

The city government is shouldering the Zamboanga delegation’s expenses for food, transportation and uniforms. And per directive of Mayor Lobregat, the city’s counterpart to the athletes’ allowances has been increased from P300 to P600 which was immediately distributed by City Accountant Sylvia Binarao on supervision of City Auditor Ludy Lirio. The Department of Education’s counterpart, as mandated, is P1, 750 per athlete.

On top of all these, the city government is also providing incentives to athletes who will win medals during the meet—a gold medal is equivalent to P1,000 incentive; gold is P700 while a bronze medal is equivalent to P500 incentive.

Mayor Lobregat together with District II Congressman Erbie Fabian and Councilors Rudy Lim, Myra Paz Abubakar, Abdurahman Nuno, Lilia Nuno, Percival Ramos, Nonong Guingona, Rogelio Valesco Jr., Jaime Cabato, Luis Biel III, Mike Alavar, Rey Candido and VP Elago led the city government delegation to Dapitan over the weekend to show all out support to the 508-man contingent of the Zamboanga athletic delegation to this year’s ZPRAA being hosted by Dapitan City.

For several years now, the Zamboanga delegation has consistently remained the overall championship title, though the elementary level was second place in 2010 and 2011.

FLEHD’s brings educational musical show to Zamboanga City

by: R.G. A A. Go

The Foundation for Lay Education on Heart Diseases (FLEHD) was successful in bringing an educational and musical show entitled how to remain young at heart where it was witnessed by hundreds last Friday night at the Garden Orchid Hotel Convention Center.

The educational and musical show presented to the public a medical lecture regarding the issues affecting the cardiovascular system.

The music for the show was done by Maestro Jeremiah “Jimboy” Calisang while the lyrics and libretto by the President of FLEHD Dr. Adolfo Bellosillo.

Superb performances were given by Jai Sabas Aracama, UP Concert Chorus, FLEHD Ballet and Local talents Joel Bustamante, City Health Officer, Dr. Rodel Agbulos, Maestro Calisang, and Alice Gonzales.

The musical hit two birds in one stone enjoying music and learning about cardiovascular diseases.

Before the musical, Maestro Jeremiah “Jimboy” Calisang was honored by no less than the President of FLEHD Dr. Adolfo Bellosillo.

The musical was produced by Mrs. Imelda Cojuanco and sponsored by the City Health Office, Zamboanga Puericulture School of Allied Medicine, and Grand Astoria Hotel.

Beng welcomes St. Claire relic

by Marvin Segura

House Deputy Speaker for Mindanao and 1st District Representative Beng Climaco Saturday joins the Archdiocese of Zamboanga in welcoming the 800 year old relic of St. Claire.

Climaco’s congressional office has been tapped to do coordinative measures for the visit of St. Claire’s relics to the city. "The relic of St. Claire has been visiting the different cities in the Philippines and we are very fortunate that Zamboanga and Basilan can have a glimpse of her. We had been in touch with Ambassador Mercedes Tuason, our Philippine Ambassador to the Holy See in their desire to bring closer to the people the relic of St. Claire," Cong. Climaco said.

St. Claire’s relic has been taken out of Rome for the first time in 800 years and has been visiting places to increase her devotees. The Archdiocese of Zamboanga is in the lead of all the preparation under the leadership of Archbishop Valles. The Veneration of the Relic of St. Claire and all Masses will be held at the Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception from 13-14 March. "We hope that all devotees and our catholic brothers and sisters can come together for the celebration of the Holy Eucharist and the vigil schedules," the lady solon added.

Records show that Clare of Assisi (sometimes spelled Clair, Claire, etc.) (July 16, 1194 – August 11, 1253), born Chiara Offreduccio, is an Italian saint and one of the first followers of Saint Francis of Assisi. She founded the Order of Poor Ladies, a monastic religious order for women in the Franciscan tradition, and wrote their Rule of Life—the first monastic rule known to have been written by a woman. Following her death, the order she founded was renamed in her honor as the Order of Saint Clare, commonly referred to today as the Poor Clares.

Pope Pius XII designated her as the patron saint of television in 1958, on the basis that when she was too ill to attend Mass, she had reportedly been able to see and hear it on the wall of her room.[7] The Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN) was founded by a Poor Clare nun, Mother Angelica. In art, Clare is often shown carrying a monstrance or pyx, in commemoration of the time when she warded away the soldiers of Frederick II at the gates of her convent by displaying the Blessed Sacrament and kneeling in prayer.

Zambo power firm strengthens anti-pilferage drive

(PNA), scs/TPG/utb

ZAMBOANGA CITY — The Zamboanga City Electric Cooperative (Zamcelco) has strengthened its campaign against power pilferage to eradicate, if not minimize, the cooperative's systems loss.

Zamcelco vice president Elbert Atilano said part of the campaign is the close monitoring on the consumption of the member consumers to determine whether or not they pay the right amount of power they consume.

Atilano said that surprise spot inspections are being conducted to check on the residences or establishments of Zamcelco consumers suspected to have tampered their electric meters.

The use of tampered electric meters is the biggest contributory factor to Zamcelco's systems loss, Atilano disclosed.

He said the present systems loss of the cooperative is in the average of 16 to 17 percent representing a yearly wastage of more that P400 million.

He said Zamcelco would gain over P200 million annually if the cooperative's systems loss will be reduced by half.

He disclosed that they discovered just recently that an ice plant was supposed to pay at least P200,000 monthly bill but had been paying only around P23,000 a month because its electric meter was tampered.

Atilano said they learned that the ice plant's electric meter was tampered with the help from unscrupulous individuals allegedly connected with Zamcelco.

Atilano did not identify the ice plant except in saying that its owner had been penalized.

Stiffer penalties including disconnection will be slapped against the consumers involved in power pilferage, Atilano warned.

Zamboanga City teacher tops national tilt on innovation

(PNA/PIA9-ZBST)

A Filipino teacher from the Taluksangay National High School here has bagged the top prize in the 2012 Innovative Teachers' Leadership Award for her project-based learning activity on mangrove planting in the Muslim-dominated village.

Shateen Searaña, who has been assigned in Barangay Taluksangay for a year now, bested nine other finalists from all over the country. As winner, she will be the Philippine representative in the Asia Pacific competition scheduled in Auckland, New Zealand from March 20 to 22. As this developed, Mayor Celso Lobregat expressed elation over Searaña’s feat and commended her innovation on mangrove planting, a topic that is very crucial in the face of serious global challenges specifically climate change.

Councilor Abdurahman Nuño, Taluksangay barangay chairman and Liga ng mga Barangay president and his wife, Councilor Lilia, proudly presented Searaña, who was accompanied by her co-teachers and students, to Lobregat on Thursday afternoon in City Hall. As one of the incentives for Searaña, Lobregat committed to provide additional allocation for the Summer Program for the Employment of Students (SPES) slots this year to help accelerate mangrove planting in the coastal village of Taluksangay.

Taluksangay is a coastal and Muslim-dominated barangay located 19 kilometers east of this city. Lobregat also gave the teacher a cash incentive and re-affirmed the city government’s all out support to mangrove planting. The SPES project has multi-pronged objectives but ultimately intends to develop communication skills of students using various communications media by engaging them to conduct community extension activities that address a relevant issue which is rampant disregard for the environment, specifically cutting down of mangrove trees.

The project involved students and parents of various Muslim tribes--Samal, Yakan, Tausug and Badjao. Despite limited technology, the students were able to document their project and did seminars on mangrove planting in the community which led to greater awareness on coastline rehabilitation through mangrove planting.

The impact that the project made on the lives and values of community members earned the judges’ nod. Searaña said the project is an output of a seminar-training program on project-based learning (PBL) approaches held at the behest of the Coalition for Better Education (CBE), a Cebu-based organization.

PBL approaches focus on collaborative and interdisciplinary approach to learning using the 21st century skills as bases for learning competencies. This training program is conducted annually by CBE in partnership with Globe Telecom and the Department of Education (DepEd). As part of the project, the students developed a website: www.taluksangaynhs.multiply.com and www.facebook.com to collaborate with other students in the country and even abroad.

The students also posted documentaries on You Tube which can be accessed through http://www.youtube.com/watch?v-j8yvpkS7UhQ for the National Greening Program;http://youtube.be/fDyYmlvQC7U or http://taluksangaynhs.multiply.com/video/item/6/My PBL Movie.wmv for the photo story of the project. For the Asia-Pacific competition, Searaña will involve the other communities and schools in this city.

Zambo city gives tribute to women during International Women’s Day

By Vic Larato (JPA/VL/CIO/PIA- ZBST)

ZAMBOANGA CITY, 09 March. (PIA 9) - - The city headed by Mayor Celso Lobregat together with House Deputy Speaker for Mindanao Rep. Beng Climaco-Salazar of District 1 and Rep. Erbie Fabian of District 2 on March 8 joined the Gender and Development (GAD) and the Local Council of Women (LCW) in paying tribute to the women sector in observance of the International Women’s Day.

Lobregat in his message during a program at JFE Memorial Sports Complex in Baliwasan that was preceded by the traditional “Marcha de las Mujeres” hinted that the time is long gone when the women would stay home to take care of the children as the men go out for work.

“Nowadays, the roles of men and the roles of women in society are very much interchangeable in many, many aspects,” he said, citing a woman who, in one of the interviews for job applicants, had said that she works during the day while her husband stays home and takes care of their four children. “This is how far the women have gone through the years.”

He also cited his mother, the late Mayor Maria Clara L. Lobregat, a Zamboangueña and one of the women responsible for the empowerment of women not only in Zamboanga but throughout the country as well.

“Ever since we were young, we were already taught how to respect women, she being a woman of substance with a big heart, and I am very proud that I am the son of that woman,” the mayor said.

For her part, Congresswoman Climaco vividly remembered that in 1998, when Ma’am Caling was the mayor, she would declare a day off for women after the Marcha de las Mujeres.

Climaco also advanced the information that there is now a bill on third reading in congress, declaring March 8 of every year as a non-working holiday throughout the country in observance of the International Women’s Day.

She also announced that her office and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) have tied up for the conduct of livelihood trainings for women on a first-come first-serve basis. Her office has made available P2 million for the purpose.

Congressman Fabian also pledged all out support for all the projects and endeavors of the women in Zamboanga City.

“Let us be very, very united in trying to empower, especially the women sector,” he declared. He gave a donation of P5,000 to the GAD and LCW with Lobregat donating more than P20,000, while Climaco funded the P11 million Cobalt Center at the Zamboanga City Medical Center, which was inaugurated recently.

Meanwhile, Regional Director Sixto Tolentino Jr. of the Environmental Management Bureau of DENR, who was the guest speaker, underscored the critical role of women and the men as well in weathering climate change.

“Men and women today are living in co-existence; everybody is equal. There is no male chauvinism or feminism. Egual, egual land kita, hombre y mujere,” he said, even as he warned everybody that “the biological earth is sick.”

Citing scientists, Tolentino said as early as 17th century the earth’s temperature had increased by 0.70 degrees Celsius.

“Climate change is caused by global warming or heating of the earth’s temperature due to nitrogen oxide, methane, ozone and water vapor,” he added. “When the earth is heated, the water rises.”

According to him, a 1-degre centigrade increased in temperature is equivalent to 15% decrease in agricultural yield, and the Philippines being an agricultural country is greatly affected by global warming.

“This is the reality. I cannot paint a beautiful picture because I will be committing intellectual dishonesty,” he said. “We have to make adaptation to cope with climate change,” he challenged the women.

City Veterinarian offers free spay, neuter services

by Richard Aliangan

CITY Veterinarian Mario Ariola announced Wednesday that his office will offer free spay and neuter services as part of the observance of the National Rabies Awareness Month in Zamboanga City.

Ariola said the free services will be rendered at the City Veterinarian Office in Barangay San Roque from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday on a “first-come, first-served” basis.

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Ariola said spay and neuter services are forms of population control approach for dogs that include castration for male pets and ligation for female ones.

The service is usually ranged at P1,000 to P1,500 if performed in private veterinarian's clinic, according to Ariola.

Although the official kick-off of the commemoration is on Friday, Ariola said the free spay and neuter service is an early undertaking that form part of the series of relevant activities prepared to rev up the National Rabies Awareness Month observance in the city.

Ariola said the opening program will reel off with a motorcade that will start at Pettit Barracks and will end at Baliwasan Central School where a short program and a film showing will follow.

The City Government will also collaborate with the Department of Education and Department of Health in the conduct of a series of symposia in various elementary schools to maximize awareness among pupils and students (15 years old and below), Ariola said.

He is also reminding the public about the a year-round free vaccination service that can be availed at the City Veterinarian Office and the other five district offices in located in Quiniput, Taloptap, Manicahan, Culianan and Ayala.

The City's Veterinarian is also advising all owners to register their pets to avoid future repercussions and at the same time contribute to make Zamboanga a rabies-free city.

DENR partners with civil society groups for seed supply of indigenous tree species

(JPA/RT/DENR/PIA- ZBST)

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Mar. 7 (PIA) -- Geared at saving the country’s indigenous trees, The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) under its National Greening Program (NGP) , partnered with two conservation groups to ascertain the supply of tree seedlings of prized tree species, said Mr. Roservirico Tan , Information Division Chief, DENR 9, in a press statement.

The partnership is demonstrated in a 5-year contract of continuous seedling supply of said groups to DENR, Tan informed.

“DENR Secretary Ramon J. P. Paje signed last week a Memorandum of Agreement with the Foundation for the Philippine Environment (FPE) and the Philippine Tropical Forest Conservation Foundation, Inc (PTFCF) which effectively opened the door of some 200 civil society organizations (CSOs) under FPE’s and PTFCF’s projects the opportunity to take part in the NGP in terms of producing planting materials using native tree species,” the active info division chief said.

Tan shared, “the said contract gives specific attention to the production of quality forest and fruit tree seedlings that are endemic to a specific NGP planting site.”

“Among the contributions to be gained by the partnership include ensured community livelihood, reduced impacts from climate change, increased promotion of biodiversity conservation and sustainable development within the locality,” Tan explained in the same press statement

Tan recalled “Last year the NGP raised and planted some 69.3 million tree seedlings in more than 118,000 hectares. Of the total planted seedlings, five million consisted of indigenous species like acacia, mayapis, molave, tindalo, toog, and teak.”

For 2012, the NGP targets to raise some 114 million seedlings to be planted over 200,000 hectares. Tan revealed 14 million of the 114 million seedlings are native tree species.

“The DENR is also tapping state universities and colleges (SUCs) nationwide to augment its nurseries across the country producing indigenous tree seedlings. Around 30 more agreements with SUCS have been lined up so far by the DENR,” Tan shared.

Zambo mayor urges public to pay right, correct taxes due government

(PNA),LAP/TPG/ssc

ZAMBOANGA CITY — Mayor Celso Lobregat has called on the taxpaying public, specifically those in business, companies and the professionals, to pay the right and correct taxes due the national and local government units, stressing that without these taxes there would be no government at all.

Lobregat issued the call during the kick-off program on Monday morning of this year’s Regional Tax Campaign of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) with the theme “I love Philippines, I Pay Taxes” at the Convention Center of Garden Orchid Hotel.

Lobregat said that there are two kinds of taxes that companies, individuals and professionals should pay--the national taxes collected by the BIR, and the local taxes paid to the local government units.

Lobregat said that the city government of Zamboanga is also paying taxes to the BIR.

In 2011 alone, Lobregat said that Zamboanga City has paid to the BIR the total amount of P79,834,889.09 in taxes.

“Even the city government is a taxpayer. We should pay not only the right but the correct taxes,” he added.

He further said the city government of Zamboanga is more than 70 percent dependent on the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) from the national government.

He explained that of all taxes collected by the BIR, 60 percent goes to the national government and 40 percent for the allocation of IRA.

He said that out of the 40 percent, 23 percent goes to the provinces, another 23 percent for the cities, 34 percent goes to the municipalities and 20 percent to the barangays.

Simply put, if there is a collection of P1,000, the mayor explained, P600 goes to the national government, and P400 for the IRA to be shared among all the cities, provinces, municipalities and barangays in terms of population, land area and equal sharing.

“So, it is important for all the local government units to ensure that the right and correct taxes are paid,” he emphasized.

“This year, for the very first time in many, many years, our IRA has increased by P215 million. There are two reasons for that: first, the BIR collection in 2009 had increased, because the IRA is based on the collection of the last three years; what was collected in 2009 is the basis of IRA allocation for 2012,” he said.

Musical on health takes Zambo’s stage

by KFP

After more than 400 performances around the country and in Italy, the highly anticipated musical “How To Remain Young at Heart” will finally have a playdate in Zamboanga City.

The Federation for Lay Education on Heart Diseases, Inc. (FLEHD) in coordination with the Zamboanga Puericulture School for Allied Medicine (ZPSAM) and the City Health Office (CHO) is bringing to the city the much awaited medical musical on Friday, March 9, 2012 at 6:00 pm at the Convention Center of the Garden Orchid Hotel.

Dr. Aldolfo Bellosillo, lyricist, libretto, and director of the whole production, heads the show, with homegrown Zamboangueno musical genius Jeremiah Documento Calisang providing the music and arrangement of the musical which has received positive reviews here and abroad.

Dr. Rodel Agbulos, City Health Officer who heads the local organizing committee disclosed that no less than the country’s mezzo soprano Jai Sabas Aracama along with the University of the Philippines (UP) Concert Chorus and the FLEHD Ballet artists will take centerstage for the Zamboanga show.

“This is actually a lecture regarding health, particularly cardiovascular health, but it is presented not in the usual lecture form, but in a musical rendition. The core objective here is to help enlighten our residents, particularly those in the medical profession and allied medicine courses to be updated with the knowledge that cardiovascular diseases remain to be among the top maladies that has claimed many lives”. Agbulos said.

Agbulos is inviting physicians, nurses, midwives, caregivers, and students of medical allied courses to take part in the important ‘musical-lecture’, which is deemed as the first of its kind as it is being interpreted by the country’s leading operatic artists.

Grand Astoria Hotel and Astoria Regency are among the major sponsors of the event. For ticket reservations, interested parties may get in touch with Jovy at 09228965170, Maripi at 09069644552/09228545773/09177104620. Call time for the show is at 5pm on March 9, 2012.

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